Leaders in Melbourne's COVID-19 hotspots are angry residents have refused tests and are concerned for the welfare of people and businesses in the effected areas.
Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday announced residents of 10 postcodes in the inner north and west of Melbourne would return to stage three restrictions until July 29 following a spike in coronavirus cases in those areas.
Maribyrnong City Council is among the hotspots, and Mayor Sarah Carter said reports of people refusing to be tested in the current blitz are frustrating.
"It makes me feel incredibly angry," she told the Nine Network on Wednesday.
"I just think it's the height of entitlement to be honest, not to take the test and I would urge everyone in our community, when asked, to take that test."
The mayor said she was hopeful people would come together to support one another.
"This is our community, it is our local economy, they're local mums and dads running these small businesses and they have done it so bloody tough," Ms Carter said.
Carly Moore is the mayor of Hume which covers some of the outer northwest suburbs that will be locked down again.
She said she was devastated, particularly for local businesses, when she learned level three restrictions were being applied again.
"It's been a tough time for our community, we were starting to see some signs of hope, we were starting to get really optimistic about what the future might look like, and realistically, we're right back to square one," she told reporters.
Ms Moore was also angered by people refusing tests.
"Everybody needs to do their bit," she said.
"There's no reason why everybody in our community can't pull their weight and get the test."
Australian Associated Press
